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Michael Jordan, 23XI, FRM suffer massive blow, court rules in favor of NASCAR

Brian Jones Profile Picby: Brian Jones07/17/25brianjones_93
23XI
Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

A decision has been made concerning 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ (FRM) charter status for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, 23XI and FRM will be open teams for the races at Dover and Indianapolis after they were denied a temporary restraining order to keep NASCAR from taking their chartered status.

On July 14, 23XI and FRM filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in an attempt to continue racing as chartered teams for the Dover race. Their current injunction expired on Wednesday, July 16, after it was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals last month.

NASCAR opposed the motion and wants 23XI and FRM to compete at Dover as open teams, meaning there would be 30 guaranteed spots in the field and 10 spots for open cars. The drivers from 23XI and FRM will have no issue making the field at Dover since there will not be more than 40 entries.

“We will defend NASCAR’s integrity from this baseless lawsuit forced upon the sport that threatens to divide the stakeholders committed to serving race fans everywhere,” NASCAR said in its statement.

More on 23XI and FRM’s lawsuit against NASCAR

“We remain focused on collaborating with the 13 race teams that signed the 2025 charter agreements and share our mutual goal of delivering the best racing in the world each week, including this weekend in Dover.”

23XI and FRM filed a lawsuit against NASCAR in October, claiming NASCAR violated antitrust laws. The trial for the lawsuit is set to take place in December. 23XI is owned by NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. FRM is owned by restaurant franchise Bob Jenkins.

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Jordan explained why his team and FRM took action against NASCAR. “I did it for the smaller teams as well. It’s not just me,” he told Fox Sports on Oct. 6. “I think everybody should have an opportunity to be successful in any business. My voice is saying that it hasn’t been happening. … Hopefully we [at both sides] can come to our senses and figure out something that can make sense for everybody.”